State Agencies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 November 2011

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Ceisteanna (135)

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

135 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm the total number of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos which currently exist within his Department; if he will provide a breakdown of each, listing in particular full name, location, the total amount of funding allocated to each in 2011 and total staff number; the number of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos which have been abolished or wound down since he took office, and the total amount of savings achieved with each closure; the number of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos being considered for abolition in the context of budget 2012; if he will furnish a list of the organisations under consideration, specifying in particular their annual running costs, primary function, and staff number in tabular form; if there is a rationalisation programme in place within his Department in respect of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos for the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34902/11]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)

The question of rationalisation and the reduction in the number of State bodies is being considered in the context of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and the overall budgetary and estimates process for 2012, and decisions on such matters will be made by the Government over the coming weeks.

The priorities set out in the Programme for Government for the rationalisation of State Agencies states that rationalisation must be cost effective and lead to a more transparent, democratically accountable and efficient public service. This underscores the need for radical streamlining of bodies, abolishing those bodies whose remit is no longer essential and amalgamation of other agencies or sharing of services between bodies. All State agencies will be subject to critical evaluation in this overall context and the outcome of the Government's deliberations will be published in due course.

In relation to my own Department the following tables give details requested by the Deputy in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department. Table A outlines details in relation to bodies in receipt of Exchequer funding and Table B outlines details in relation to board.

Table A bodies in receipt of exchequer Funding

Name of Body	Location	Budget 2011	Staff Numbers
Special EU Programmes Body	Belfast Office, 7th Floor, The Clarence West Building, 2 Clarence Street West, Belfast, BT2 7GPOmagh Office, EU House, 11 Kevlin Road, Omagh, Northern Ireland, BT78 1LBMonaghan Office M:Tek II Building Armagh Road MonaghanIreland	The 2011 Budget for the Body is €78,741,000. This breaks down as follows:€76,075,000 Programme Expenditure (expenditure under the EU co-funded PEACE III and INTERREG IVA Programmes), and€2,666,000 Administration Expenditure.The Body’s Budget is provided by Irish and Northern Irish Government Departments. The Irish contribution to the 2011 Budget is:€28,406,000 Programme (note that a large portion of this is recoupable from EU)€1,242,500 Administration.The Body’s Administration costs are co-funded by the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform,	65
Civil Service Arbitration BoardCivil Service Disciplinary Code Appeal BoardIndependent Mediator for the Civil Service	No fixed location.The Board meet at various locations as required	A separate budget for each Board is not provided. The budget for the Boards in included in an overall budget of €43,000 which includes provision for payments to the Civil Service Adjudicator and the Independent Mediator for the Civil Service, as may arise.	No Staff
Outside Appointments Board	No fixed location meets at various locations as required	€2,296 — legal fees€9,200 —to be paid at end of 2011 in relation to fees for 3 board members.2 additional members receive no fee as they are Government Officials	No Staff
Valuation Tribunal	Valuation Tribunal, Ormond House, Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 7	€574,000	8 in total 5 Permanent and 3 Temporary (to July 2012)
Board of Public Appointments Service	Meets every two months in the Public Service, Chapter House 26-30 Abbey Street Upper Dublin 1.	€17,130 approx9 Board Members appointed on 1 September 2011	No Staff

Table B

Name of Body	Location	Board Numbers
An Post National Lottery Company	An Post National Lottery CompanyAbbey Street Lower, Dublin 1	7

None of the above bodies has been abolished .